Qwest is still trying to hammer out “differences” with former CEO Joe Nacchio over the repayment of legal fees that the company advanced on his behalf prior to his insider trading conviction in April 2007, a spokeswoman said today.

The Denver-based company, though, has recovered the legal fees it paid for Nacchio between the conviction and sentencing in July 2007, and any money doled out to his trial attorney, Herb Stern, for the appeal. Nacchio footed the bill for Maureen Mahoney of Latham & Watkins, the lead attorney on his appeal, as part of an agreement he reached with Qwest shortly after his original sentencing. He has covered fees related to his resentencing, which was handled by Sean Berkowitz, also with Latham & Watkins.

“In regard to legal fees advanced prior to conviction, we hope to resolve all of our repayment differences with Mr. Nacchio in the near future,” said Qwest spokeswoman Diane Reberger.

The company issued a similar statement in October after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to review Nacchio’s conviction.

Reberger declined to reveal specifics, stating that the amount of money is not “material,” or large enough to require the company to publicly disclose under Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

Qwest’s bylaws require it to advance legal fees to current and former officers who may be involved in any criminal or civil
legal proceeding stemming from their employment. A conviction, if it holds up on appeal, allows the company to recoup those costs.

David joined The Denver Post in 1999, his second go-round in the Mile High City. Since then he’s covered a variety of topics – from human services to consumer affairs – most always with an investigative bent. Currently he does investigations and banking.